, 1887-03-10
OkanoGan Mines.

Probably no mining camp tribu-
tary to Spokane Falls has been dis
covered and brought to public atten-
tion under so favorable circum-
stances as has that of the Salmon
river or Okanogan. Immediately
after the reservatiyn had been
thrown open last spring, score of
old Occur d'Alene and Colville min
ers rushed into the country and To-
Gated what have since developed
into the very best prospects for big
mines on the Pacific coast. The men
who first went into Chief Moses
former domains were fortunately
thoroughbred miners. Their ex.
perience, as u rule, extended over
the known mining world from the
Yukon on the north TO Mexico on
the south, and lateraly, from Aus
tralia to the Silver Isle i'm the Lake
Superior region. Not only Ia the
Okanogan mining camp free from
the presence of the demoralizing
"tenderfOOt," but 1t is blest with
such natural advantages as an abun.
lance of wood, water, grass and good
roads, with an equable climate, and
free from very deep snow.
Throughout last summer these few
miners continued their labor pros
pecting, and when the snow came it
found them all housed and provis-
ioned for winters siege. How
we'll this was passed is illustrated in
the wonderful development made in
working the claims discovered. The
names of most OF those who wintered
and worked there during the winter
just passed are familiar to the writer
and as they are also we'll known
among mining men they are given
us follows: - ~
Jack Lennon, Bob Stokesberry,
Will Hunt, Tom Fuller, George For.
roster, George Groutcher, John
Gober, Jack Clunan, and Messrs.
Pierce, Malone, Burch, Boone, Bid
erbeck, father and son Dick, and
Milligan. In addition to these, Mes
DANES Forester, Malone, and Burch
stood faithfully with their mining
husbands, over 180 miles from SpO-
kane Falls, during the long winter
just passed. There were Others
among these pioneers, but their
names we are not acquainted with.
These Okanogan mines are situated
about 180 miles north of west from
Spokane Falls. The route taken Is
via Davenport in Lincoln county,
Wild Goose BilPs ferry on the CO.
lumbia, and across the Okanoean
river near the mouth of Salmon riv-
er. The center of the mining camp
Is in the fork of the Salmon river
and its west branch. The roads are
in the main level and over a hard
gravel bed. No hills are to be en-
except the grade across
the Columbia river at Wild Goose
BilPs ferry. There is no dense for.
Est to encounter on the road as is
met going to ColviIle, but what
timber passed Is in patches or clus-
-ers. AT the mines when the noun.
aims are reached an inexhaustible
supply is found suitable both for
mines 40 Tar discovered are are the La
Euna, First Thought, Tong Nit. |
salmon Chief, Lady of the Lake.
iranite and Jack Lennon. A hun.
lred Others, all promising claims,
AVE been located. The Lady
4 the Lake has been bond
Il 10 eastern parties who have
een offered profit of $4,000 on
heir investment. The First
'hought has also been bonded at
10000. The La Euna, it is under.
TODD, is being negotiated for by
inning man of this city. Messrs.
,emmon and Stokesberry came out
'om the camp but two days since
nd they give the most glowing ac-
)unfs Of the winters r'sdevelopments.
rom them II is to be learned that
snow is to be found now on the
'uth sides of the mountains, but c
lat between the Columbia and
kanogan rivers, there IS enough to q
axe travel bad for a couple of p
eeks to come. These gentlemen,
soon as they thaw out from their :,
u winters alternating, will return :,
TN provisions and tools to develop q
cir many valuable claims. 1t has :.
en- growing on the public mind all II
nter that the Okanogan was to be II
great excitement for our mining
m this spring, and from the num- Il
or expeditions being fitted out pl
", 1t seems that this anticipation OF
c, be realized We shall keep the
'lic posted on the news from Sal IA
n river. TO
A.